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Most people can (or think they can) sing a tune.
All you need to do is watch an episode of the X-Factor to be reminded of how many people think that being able to produce sound from their mouth qualifies them for stardom or at the very least a profitable singing career.
But is it as simple as that? Even for those who truly can sing?
Of course, there are plenty of examples of young hopefuls being groomed by svengalis who take care of every aspect of their careers, from sourcing songs all the way to deciding on a look and personality for their protege. But the cases in which the young hopefuls go on to have long lasting music careers are very rare.
Generally, it's best to be in control of one's own career rather than depend on others to invest their time and energy on you. And the best way to ensure that you're in control is to learn about as many aspects of your career as you can.
Is a singer a musician? They should be. They should be able to read and write music, or at least communicate coherently to band members so that they can lead their band rather then be led.
I know an amazingly talented blues/soul singer who is at the mercy of her band because she cannot arrange the songs she writes. She comes up with beautiful melodies and lyrics, but then she needs her pianist/musical director to arrange the songs and lead her band. She is lucky that she has such a person, but this means that if he isn't available for a gig (which he often isn't because he's in great demand) she isn't capable of working with other musicians and she cannot do the gig. What a waste! Her career has stalled because of this, and she isn't able to move ahead.
I keep meeting singers who are in the same predicament, and it always makes me sad. It would take so little to overcome this! All it takes is some music knowledge and the ability to communicate one's ideas to a band. The ability to write simple chord charts can make a huge difference to a Jazz singer, meaning that he or she can have a pad of songs in the right key that they can perform with any musicians anywhere.
Writing and arranging one's own material can take you even further - hopefully to a fruitful recording career.
So, singers, please start seeing yourselves as musicians. You are!
